formatting laptop

[jsnell]

I have a HP Pavillion laptop. My kids have installed so much crap on it that I can bearly start windows.
Problem is that I cant find my cd's that came with the computer.
I have the CD key that is on the sticker on the bottom of the laptop. Is there any way I can format & re install windows using another windows CD?

I called HP who were not very helpful.

any advice would be appreciated.

Cheers,
Jamie

 

[theog]

   Information

We always assume you have made your Recovery Disks using the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Media Creator app the first day you had your new PC.
& made the Startup Repair CD.
startup repair disc-create
​

Did you make the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disks?

Pressing the f11 key during startup on a computer with an HP factory image will start the system recovery process even if the prompt is not displayed.
Recover Windows 7 Operating System Using HP Recovery - HP Customer Care (United States - English)
Performing an HP System Recovery in Windows 7 - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

How to make HP Recovery DVD disks:
Recover Windows Vista Operating System Using HP Recovery - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

How to make HP Recovery USB disk:
Creating a Recovery Disk on a USB Flash Disk HP Pavilion dv6700z CTO Entertainment Notebook PC - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

or
You can Order HP Recovery Disks from here:
Compaq Mini CQ10-500 PC series -  HP Notebook PCs - Order Recovery Discs for Windows 7, Vista, or XP - c00810334 - HP Business Support Center

 

[Zomby88]

Sure you can. You could use theogs method, which would return it to day 1 status. Or you could download the iso of the version you have, burn it to a dvd and use it to install windows. But do not delete your recovery partition. This way is free and would just install windows and none of the factory garbage. Backup all your data and anything else you want to save before you begin.

When you get a minute post a shot of your disk management page so we can show you where to reinstall windows.

 

[gregrocker]

Steps to get a perfect clean reinstall of factory OEM without the preinstalled bloatware are in the link in my signature box below.